Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 24
Description of the Royal Dynasties (राजवंशवर्णनम्) — Chapter Colophon and Transition
सहदेवः सोमदत्तात् सहदेवात्तु सोमकः आसीच्च सोमकाज्जन्तुर्जन्तोश् च पृषतः सुतः
sahadevaḥ somadattāt sahadevāttu somakaḥ āsīcca somakājjanturjantoś ca pṛṣataḥ sutaḥ
ସୋମଦତ୍ତରୁ ସହଦେବ ଜନ୍ମିଲେ; ସହଦେବରୁ ସୋମକ ଉତ୍ପନ୍ନ ହେଲେ। ସୋମକରୁ ଜନ୍ତୁ, ଏବଂ ଜନ୍ତୁଙ୍କ ପୁତ୍ର ପୃଷତ ଜନ୍ମିଲେ।
Lord Agni (narrating the Purana in discourse form)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Samanya","practical_application":"Maintains dynastic continuity for later Itihāsa linkages (Somaka line leading toward Pṛṣata/Drupada context), aiding narrative mapping and ritual remembrance.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Somadatta → Sahadeva → Somaka → Jantu → Pṛṣata succession","lookup_keywords":["Somadatta","Sahadeva","Somaka","Jantu","Pṛṣata"],"quick_summary":"Gives a straight succession chain from Somadatta to Pṛṣata through Sahadeva, Somaka, and Jantu. Useful as a quick lookup for the Somaka dynasty sequence."}
Concept: Vaṃśa as a mnemonic scaffold for dharma-history; identity and obligation traced through descent.
Application: Supports Purāṇic/Itihāsa pedagogy: students and reciters track who precedes whom in royal-sage lines.
Khanda Section: Vamsha-Anukramanika (Genealogies / Royal Lineages)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vertical lineage pillar with five figures in descending order: Somadatta, Sahadeva, Somaka, Jantu, and Pṛṣata—each in royal attire, connected by a stylized vine/scroll of descent.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, stacked portrait registers, each king with distinct crown, connecting floral scroll, muted temple-wall palette, emphasis on symmetry and lineage flow.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, five medallion portraits with gold halos, ornate borders, names inscribed, central lineage stem motif, rich jewel tones.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, diagrammatic genealogy with fine lines and labels, minimal background, clear succession arrows, soft colors.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, album-page style with five portrait roundels, delicate margins, calligraphy naming each successor, subtle landscape wash behind."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Shree","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सहदेवात्तु = सहदेवात् तु; आसीच्च = आसीत् च; सोमकाज्जन्तुः = सोमकात् जन्तुः; जन्तोश् = जन्तोः
Related Themes: Agni Purana: next verse continues Pṛṣata → Drupada → Dhṛṣṭadyumna; Agni Purana: Somaka-related genealogical passages elsewhere in vaṃśa sections
FAQs
This verse imparts genealogical knowledge (vaṃśa-anukrama), preserving the succession of rulers for historical and dharmic record rather than a ritual procedure.
By documenting dynastic succession, it functions as a historical index within the Purana’s wider compendium—alongside ritual, polity, medicine, and arts—helping map traditions, legitimacy, and narrative continuity.
Remembering and reciting righteous lineages is traditionally regarded as smṛti-based merit (puṇya) that supports dharmic continuity and reverence for ancestral exemplars.